By guest blogger Steve NewmanIndia has captivated travellers for centuries, but venturing to this cultural melting-pot can be a logistical challenge. In February and December 2011,
Zegrahm Expeditions will treat travellers to over two weeks of in-depth exploration in Southern India, including a stop in Sri Lanka, via the 110-passenger
Clipper Odyssey (above).
Zegrahm believes the best way for travellers to immerse themselves in the countries they visit, with minimal distractions and inconveniences, is by small ship (and, having sampled their style earlier this year, I would fully endorse that view).
They are also one of the leading adventure travel companies, specialising in small-ship expedition tours and safaris to remote and intriguing destinations around the world, and their India voyage will add another string to their considerable bow, revealing yet another array of dazzling visual wonders and cultural delights.
From
Chennai (Madras), the ship visits
Madurai’s Meenakshi temple, then explores fascinating Sri Lanka, where you search for wild elephants and visit the sacred
Temple of the Tooth.
Along India’s west coast, visits are
Cochin, Mangalore and
Goa, and you end your journey in Mumbai. There is no better way to explore this diverse land than by sea, affording you the opportunity to travel from the serene villages to bustling city streets all in genuine 5-Star style.
You can beat the heat, too, as the air-conditioned
Odyssey allows you to travel from port to port in the utmost comfort, bypassing long, steamy drives to get to your next destination. Soak in the coastal sights as you make your way from port to port - a view of India often unseen by most tourists - and you can also choose from several shore excursions each day, all of which are complimentary.
Learn more about the February 1-17 and December 7–21, 2011, Splendours of India departures on Zegrahm’s website at
http://www.zeco.com/
